A digital patient list and task manager, a clinical documentation system, electronic ordering and viewing of results, and a care coordination and communications channel that links all team members in a patient's care, delivered on mobile devices that clinicians actually like to use: this is the promise of Cortex, which is set to be rolled out widely at Christchurch Hospital’s new acute services building when it opens at the end of the year.

Developed by Christchurch firm Sense Medical in association with the Canterbury District Health Board, a 12-week trial of the system in three general surgical wards last year saw a massive 20 per cent drop in average length of stay and a similar reduction in readmissions to hospital, which its developers say is due to a series of 'micro-wins', including time and workflow efficiencies that add up to earlier discharge and more effective care coordination.